Breathable moisture barrier for an occupant sensing system
First Claim
1. A seat sensor mat assembly comprising:
- an insulating foam substrate;
at least one electrically conductive sensing element adhered to the foam substrate;
a humidity sensor disposed within the foam substrate; and
a substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material covering at least a portion of the foam substrate;
wherein the substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material has a moisture vapor transmission rate sufficient to permit humidity on opposite sides of the material to reach equilibrium in less than about five minutes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A breathable moisture barrier suitable for use in enclosing flexible electrodes, foam substrate and other electrical components within a substantially liquid impervious environment without significantly impairing the ability of electrical sensors to accurately measure temperature and humidity variations within the surrounding environment such as the seating compartment of an automobile. It is further disclosed that a breathable polymeric material having a sufficiently high moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) will permit water vapor to be transported across the barrier and quickly reach equilibrium within the enclosed seat sensor mat assembly and to allow the humidity compensation of the occupant sensing system to function correctly. The breathable moisture barrier of the present invention provides a sufficiently high MVTR to allow rapid humidity equilibration within the sensor mat so as to better track rapid changes in the passenger compartment environmental conditions upon starting the car and applying either air conditioning or heating.
47 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A seat sensor mat assembly comprising:
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an insulating foam substrate;
at least one electrically conductive sensing element adhered to the foam substrate;
a humidity sensor disposed within the foam substrate; and
a substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material covering at least a portion of the foam substrate;
wherein the substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material has a moisture vapor transmission rate sufficient to permit humidity on opposite sides of the material to reach equilibrium in less than about five minutes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensing system for detecting at least two different conditions having a breathable moisture barrier comprising
at least one electrically conductive sensing element adhered thereto; -
a humidity sensor disposed within the foam substrate; and
a substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material covering at least a portion of the foam substrate, wherein said vapor permeable material has a moisture vapor transmission rate sufficient to permit humidity on opposite sides of the material to reach equilibrium in less than about five minutes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A seat sensor assembly comprising:
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a foam substrate;
a substantially liquid impervious, vapor permeable material covering at least a portion of the foam substrate, the vapor permeable material defining a boundary between an interior of the assembly and an exterior of the assembly;
at least a humidity sensor disposed within the interior of the assembly;
wherein the substantially vapor permeable material has a moisture vapor transmission rate sufficient to permit a humidity level in the interior of the assembly to reach equilibrium with a humidity level on the exterior of the assembly in less than about five minutes. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification